Business Spotlight: RoniB’s Kitchen
Cooking up a Business: RoniB’s Kitchen
May is “Share a Story Month”, and in this spirit, we spoke with Roni, the owner of RoniB’s Kitchen, a producer of Filipino-style vegan sauces, chillies, jams and marmalades based in the UK, about her journey of creating and running her own business.
Roni’s passion for cooking and experimenting with food started at a young age when her parents bought her her first oven. Over the years, her love for baking turned into a desire to learn non-Filipino dishes, leading her to become the go-to person for the family’s Easter, Christmas, and New Year feasts.
Roni moved to the UK in 2002, and in 2014, Roni and her friend started a supper club business, where she realised that Filipino cuisine was so unfamiliar to most. The success of the supper club led to Roni’s participation in Kristie Allsopp’s Handmade Christmas cook-off in 2016, where she won the Best Alternative Christmas Dish with her Chicken Relleno with adobo sauce. This win inspired Roni to create products that allowed people to cook Filipino food themselves, leading to the birth of RoniB’s Kitchen.
“We discovered that Filipino cuisine was such an unknown here in the UK.”
One of the biggest challenges Roni faced was the unfamiliarity with Filipino cuisine. To overcome this, Roni attended markets and food festivals to create awareness and educate people about her products. Roni’s dedication to her brand and products has paid off, with her Black Bean Chilli Paste receiving 3 Gold Stars at The Great Taste Awards 2022.
Looking towards the future, Roni has big plans for her business, including exporting to other countries, and entering new market segments, such as the hospitality and catering sector. When asked which celebrity she would like to endorse her brand, Roni chose Bruno Mars, not only because he is half Filipino but also because he could create a song for her!
Roni’s favourite product from her business is the Black Bean Chilli Paste, which adds instant umami to any dish. However, the most interesting feedback she received from a customer was for her Banana Ketchup, with one customer exclaiming, “Oh! How strange! I never expected that! It is actually really, really good! Can I have 2 bottles please?”
“When creating my products, I wanted to capture the flavours of our cuisine, but most of all, I wanted my products to be all-natural and artificial-free.“
Roni’s journey of creating and running her business showcases the importance of passion, perseverance, and dedication to one’s craft. Her products not only showcase the diversity and adaptability of Filipino cuisine but also highlight the natural and artificial-free ingredients used in her products. Roni’s story is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passions and bringing something new and unique to the market.
Whether you’re a foodie looking for a new culinary adventure or a business owner searching for high-quality ingredients, Roni’s products are the perfect choice.
If you’re interested in trying out RoniB’s Kitchen, head over to www.onlinehighstreet.uk to browse the selection and place an order today. We’re confident that you’ll love the products as much as we do.
